How-to: Understand How Wine is Served

Some years ago we ordered a bottle of wine at a restaurant and enjoyed our usual giggle at the way it was being served – pour a little, ask customer to sample, then pour full glasses. It always felt so silly. We’ve never sent back wine, and wouldn’t do so unless it was spoiled, in which case it wouldn’t matter if a full glass had been poured. This particular time, however, a friendly server laughed with us, and Tina took that opportunity to ask her why wine is served the way it is.

1. They will always present the bottle, before uncorking, to the person who ordered the wine. Yep, that means whoever says, “we’ll have the malbec” will be presented with the bottle, held slightly at an angle with the label facing. The server will then say the name of the wine. He/she at this point is asking you to agree this is the bottle you’ve ordered. This always poses a problem. I often don’t remember anything about the wine we’ve ordered by the time the bottle gets to us, beyond the varietal. I try hard, and should try harder: it would be terrible to get stuck with a $300 Chateau ABC when I’ve asked for a $50 Chateau XYZ. Just nod, that’s usually best.

2. They uncork the bottle and pour out an ounce-sized sample to the person who ordered the wine. If you want someone else at the table to sample, say so, that’s totally fine. However, it should be the person who orders who says, “I’d like John to sample, thank you.” The server treats this bottle as though it is yours, much like they’d treat an entrée you’ve just ordered. They will just not give the first taste to someone else at the table unless you say OK.

3. After tasting the sample, unless you notice something extremely OFF with the wine, simply nod and say thank you and the server will begin pouring, usually finishing with the person who ordered the wine (although if it’s a male-female couple, will often finish with the male, regardless). Tina often says “mmm delicious” which always makes Nate laugh (no need to impress the server, after all), whereas Tina usually ends up teasing Nate about his “serious” taste and nod, acting almost as though he’s actually considering to send the wine back, which, as explained above, we never do.

Understanding this basic process helped relieve much of the worry around “what am I to do now?” after the wine arrives at the table. We hope you’ll also feel more comfortable in what’s expected, too.